COACH OF THE YEAR
Alama Ieremia [Auckland]
There are two obvious candidates for this award: Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson and Alama ‘I don’t yet have a nickname that has stuck’ Ieremia.
Robertson has had two campaigns with the Crusaders and won two titles which is hugely impressive.
But the award goes to Ieremia who inherited a dysfunctional and hopeless Auckland side that was lucky not to be relegated the previous year.
He and assistant Filo Tiatia and some young buck called Graham Henry instilled discipline on and o the field, built an inclusive culture and got Auckland playing to their potential.
That they had to beat Canterbury in extra time in the final showed the depth of their character and resilience.